Al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the attack on Yamani Defence Ministry in the heart of Yemen's capital Sana'a, on Thursday, in which 52 people – including seven foreigners – were killed in a suicide car bombing and an assault by gunmen.

Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula's media arm "al-Mallahem" claimed the attack early Friday morning on its Twitter account, saying it targeted the defence ministry building because it "accommodates drone control rooms and American experts". It said security headquarters used by the Americans in their war are "legitimate targets".